EDITED TO ADD:
I just realized that my penny would not make it to France, in time, so it's a useless gesture. I had already decided to do this, but after the funeral tomorrow in Denver, I'm going to drop off $50 for Romney at his Lakewood, CO HQ.

Watching the Neighborhood Cautiously

For the past 18 years that I've lived here, the city has shut down an 85 square block area surrounding my neighborhood to vehicles on the 4th of July for a giant block party. Around 100,000 people from around Southern California drive as close as they can to the city, find a parking spot and then take a cab to the beach, where they descend upon us like locust. For the entire afternoon and evening we are subjected to loud stereos, screeming teens and adults, the smell of stale beer spilled in the gutter, drunks passed out in our yards, etc. http://forums.officer.com/t149319/ (Happy 4th of July From Newport Beach (W/ Photos))

This year the local PD has decided they will not shut down the streets to vehicle traffic. Instead it will be a free for all. Apparently the thought is that's its the middle of the week so there won't be a big crowd or major problems like before. No one is sure what to make of this.

I will be off on the Fourth, on worker's comp recovering from a ruptured triceps tendon. It happened on Memorial Day weekend and I won't be back until after Labor Day. Before you think it's cool to have the summer off, I can't bend my left arm at all, which means no flying, no motorcycle, no guitar - basically the things I really am passionate about and need as part of life are off the table for four months or so.

I will be firmly entrenched in the inner city here in Greater Rock Springs, Wyoming, where men are men and, well, sheep are sometimes nervous. Just sayin.

I may fire up the gril. I may drink an ice cold adult beverage but one thing I will never do again, is done a sweaty, stinky ballistic vest on one of the hottest days of the year. You guys be careful and watch their friggin hands.

My rotation this year actually has me off on the 4th. Which as luck would have it it my only love's birthday. I will actually be able to enjoy a nice grilled steak dinner and many attempts to pamper her every whim and fancy.

I have tried repeatedly to convince her that the awesome fireworks display put on by the City of Fort Worth anually has actually been paid for, by me, in honor of her birth. She usually responds with one of those, " Something stinks in Denmark looks."

Well, I just got off shift and ended up celebrating this great country's Independence Day by processing 2 Mexicans and a Salvadoran for deportation. Not a bad way to celebrate in retrospect, I suppose.